FdA Football Development & Coaching

Program Overview

The FdA Football Development & Coaching program, developed in partnership with Watford FC, provides hands-on experience in football development and coaching. Students gain skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating football projects, as well as coaching sessions for various levels and abilities. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, graduates develop professional skills in communication, interpersonal relations, and IT capabilities, preparing them for careers in football development, coaching, and related fields.

Program Outline

FdA Football Development & Coaching

Degree Overview:

This unique course, developed in partnership with Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust, is designed to provide you with hands-on experience in the football industry. You'll gain the strategic skills needed to plan, design, implement, and evaluate football development projects, as well as the knowledge to undertake safe, effective, and inclusive coaching sessions for various levels and abilities. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience, you'll learn the scientific principles influencing football performance, local and national policies, ethical considerations, governing bodies, and professional organizations. You'll graduate with professional skills relevant to football development and coaching, including strong communication, interpersonal skills, and IT capabilities.

Outline:

Year 1

focuses on the fundamental skills and knowledge of football coaching, development, and performance. You'll learn:

• Fundamentals of research methods: Develop key academic skills required for your degree, including data collection, analysis, and writing.
• Fundamentals of football coaching: Gain knowledge of learning theories and coaching styles, plan, deliver, and evaluate football coaching sessions, and understand safeguarding and risk assessments.
• Fundamentals of football performance: Apply scientific concepts and principles from various disciplines (physiology, psychology, biomechanics, performance analysis, and nutrition) to understand their impact on football performance.
• Made in Middlesex Expansion Module (Cognitive Me): Develop free-thinking knowledge, transferable skills, and a problem-solving mindset through collaborative activities with other disciplines.

Year 2

focuses on advanced knowledge and practical experience:

• Research Methods: Develop and refine your research skills to analyze and synthesize information from various sources.
• Applied Football Coaching and Work Based Learning: Explore a range of coaching theories and concepts, refine your coaching skills, and gain practical experience through 75 hours of industry-specific work placement.
• Applied Football Performance: Analyze advanced scientific concepts and principles to improve player performance, conduct complex tests, and interpret results.
• Made in Middlesex Expansion Module (Associative Me): Build upon the skills developed in Year 1, critically evaluate information from diverse disciplines, and develop your problem-solving abilities in the context of socio-economic development and community sustainability.

Assessment:

Assessments include:

• Coursework (50% in Year 1, 60% in Year 2)
• Practical exams (50% in Year 1, 40% in Year 2)
• Formal and informal tests throughout the course

Teaching:

You'll be taught by experienced staff with expertise and professional experience. Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Laboratory sessions
• Practical sessions
• Group discussions
• Group work
• Presentations

Careers:

Graduates can pursue careers in various fields, including:

• Football development officer
• Disability support officer
• Women and girls development officer
• Community manager
• Community football coach
• Sports development officer within a professional club
• Player development centers
• Academy-level coaching
Other potential careers include:
• Sports science
• Teaching and research
• Sports marketing
• Football management
• Health and fitness management
• Fitness consultancy
• Armed forces
• Weight management
• Health promotion
• Personal fitness training
• Corporate health advice

Other:

• Students will have access to world-class facilities at the London Sports Institute, Hendon Campus, and Cedars Youth & Community Centre in Harrow.
• Placements and internships are available with Watford FC CSE Trust, other football clubs, university sports clubs, local projects, charities, fitness centres, and schools.
• Graduates can further their education with postgraduate courses and professional certifications.

UK students1 Full-time: £9,250 Part-time: £77 per taught credit International students2 Full-time students: £16,600 Part-time students: £138 per taught credit